Public Speaking Course:

Stand Still

A big mistake I see professional public speakers do all the time is not standing still when they should. It is very
distracting for the audience to try to listen to what someone is saying
when they are constantly wandering and moving all over the place. You can practice
being still while taking your public speaking course.

I have stated in previous public speaking course articles that you should move at least three
steps, in a particular direction -- and for a purpose -- whenever you
move on stage. That type of movement is not what I am talking about in
this article. Small
to and fro movements during your presentation is very annoying to your
audience and detracts from your
message.

As we move into a century that will likely include more distance learning
and TV training, keeping still is even more important than ever. When you are presenting
to an audience and cameras are sending your message across the country
or around the world make sure your not constantly moving around and
keep your gestures smaller.

When you are on TV or video your movements are magnified. I got a good
reminder lesson in keeping still while doing the weather and traffic
report for a broadcast station in Orlando, Florida. I was all set to
be my highly animated self. They put me at an anchor desk and turned
me loose with a set script on the teleprompter.

My normal performance looked absolutely ridiculous.

In fact, it wasn't even close to being acceptable for the tight shot
they used. I had to stay perfectly still with the exception of my head
and eye movement and facial expressions.

You can practice this at home with a simple video camera zoomed in
to a tight close up shot. Either stand or sit and don't move your shoulders
and arms at all. Talk to the camera and only allow movement from the
neck up. To do an el cheapo simulation of a teleprompter, cellophane
tape a script on to the bottom of the lens of the camcorder.

Once you master this technique and can convey all your non-verbal information
with only head movement and facial expression, and remember folks communicate
with their eyes, and in a close up, so should you. You can add small
amounts of body, arm and shoulder movement as the video shot gets
wider. From your public speaking course you will learn to adapt to the stage you are on,
live on stage or live on camera.